On transfer deadline day, Lee Bowyer was hoping to complete a double swoop for Brighton duo Beram Kayal and Tomer Hemed. Kayal joined on a one year loan, but the Hemed deal was under investigation as to whether or not the deal was done in time – and it was!
The 32-year-old Israel international was confirmed yesterday on a permanent basis, putting pen to paper on a one year deal and is available to play for the Addicks immediately.
The striker is Charlton’s 14th signing of a busy summer window and Lee Bowyer and Steve Gallen were pleased to finally get the deal over the line.
ICYMI ✍️ | The Addicks finally completed the signing of Israel international striker @tomerhemed10 from @OfficialBHAFC on Monday evening
👉https://t.co/wOeCn2hCR3 #cafc pic.twitter.com/j993STrTCw
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) August 20, 2019
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to get this deal done” said Bowyer. Signing Tomer gives us another option up front, something different to what we already have. I’m looking forward to working with him. I’d like to thank Dan Ashworth and Brighton & Hove Albion for the part they’ve played in getting this deal done.”
Steve Gallen was also quick to show his delight in the forward: “Tomer is an exciting signing for us. He’s a striker who has scored plenty of goals in the Championship and will fit in really well with the group we’ve got. The signing has taken slightly longer to complete than we anticipated but we’ve been in communication with Brighton and the EFL, so we’re grateful to them for their cooperation. We’re very pleased to be welcoming Tomer to the club.”
Hemed began his career at Maccabi Haifa. After loan spells with Maccabi Herzliya, Bnei Yehuda and Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, he won the Israeli Premier League in the 2010/11 campaign with Haifa. This impressive season led him to signing with Mallorca in the 2011 summer.
After Mallorca’s relegation from La Liga in 2012/13, he returned to the top flight with Almeria in 2014/15 and signed for Brighton the following season. He enjoyed a loan spell with Championship side QPR last season, scoring seven goals in 21 appearances.
Tyler’s Take
Hemed is a very experienced player who has scored a bunch of goals in the Championship over the years, netting 37 goals in 94 Championship games Averaging a goal every three games at QPR last season shows he has a decent goal-scoring record in this league.
Although Wednesday’s game against Nottingham Forest might be too soon for the Striker, he will prove to be a great asset to our squad, giving us much needed depth for a demanding campaign.
However, under a manager like Bowyer, he will have to fight for his place. With Lyle Taylor continuing where he left off last season, Chuks Aneke finding his stride at SE7 and Jonathan Leko showing signs of real talent and excitement, Tomer may find it challenging at first to get a place in the starting 11. But as time goes on, I think he’ll make his way into the squad and hopefully he’ll add to his impressive tally of goals in the Championship.
Hemed is a much needed acquisition and I can’t wait to see him in a Charlton shirt.
Yes, interesting only a one year contract, but that better than none but we soon find out and in any case Taylor is off in January so they all have to step up.
Great informative article Tyler. I remember back when he was in his prime for Brighton and he looked a real threat in front of goal. Hopefully will be a good addition to the side